How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Official safety sleeping guidelines from both NHS and Lullaby Trust recommends that newborns sleep in their own cot or Moses basket. A bedside crib can be an efficient and space-saving option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore this co-sleeper since it's large and spacious, with plenty of room for baby to grow and wriggle and far more substantial than a Moses basket. It is also easy to put together, and comes with a carry bag.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a bassinet, side sleeper or co-sleeper) is a secure way for your baby to rest close to you overnight during the first few months of their life. These cribs can be attached to your bed and let you lift your child towards you for night-feeding or comforting. They're also a great option for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a caesarean section.
They're often slightly smaller than a standard cot, but they provide ample space for your baby to sleep. You can pick from a wide range of styles and features, depending on what your preference is. Many bedside cribs come with the option of removing or dropping down the side, which makes it easier to reach your baby during feeding time at night. They are also available in various heights based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use an adjustable riser that allows you to create an angle to the sleep area. This can be helpful with reflux. They also have an open side to make cleaning easy. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a relaxing distraction for your infant. You'll require a mattress that's comfortable to be used with your crib. It should be at least 30cm deep to give your baby enough headroom.
A bedside cot is an investment, but you can be sure your baby will have a comfortable and safe sleep. Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, and Gigi Hadid are all avid users of SNOO's crib for babies. It is definitely worth considering as an alternative to a Moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS, has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies are in the same room as their parents for the first six months. However, they should not sleep in your bed. This is to decrease the chance of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a great option that allows your baby to safely be close enough for you to feed them at night and help them return to sleep without needing to leave your bed. It's also a great option if you have limited mobility after an operation or are recovering from a C-section.
Our top choice for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 travel cot bedside crib is compact and folds down in a matter of seconds and fits into its own bag for travel, so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's one of the tiniest bedside cots and has the most comfortable deep foam mattress, air-flow panels, and an tilting setting, and it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another excellent bedside crib. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. bedside cot co sleeper has a built-in storage solution and changing mat, is light (only 10kg), and has an adjustable side that allows for easy access.
Style
For a lot of moms, especially those who are recovering from a C-section A crib that is placed near the bed can prove to be a blessing in disguise. They can be attached to your bed so you can reach your baby easily without having to get up, allowing you to night feed them and comfort them quickly. They are also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers since their close proximity will help boost their milk supply.
As well as being incredibly useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant, which is why they're so popular. They're usually more spacious than Moses baskets and are available in many different styles, with some featuring extra features, like a soft tilt to the reflux. They're designed to fit close to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're great for travelling parents.
When bedside crib co sleeper are choosing a bedside cot It is essential to look for designs that have drop sides that are simple to use. These allow you to lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which can be difficult for mums with mobility issues. One such model is the Chicco Next2Me Magic which has been highly praised by Mumsnetters and was shortlisted for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards' Best Cot Moses, Crib or Basket category.
Another useful feature that a few models have is a transparent side that lets you be able to see your baby at all times. This is particularly useful in the case of 3am feeds that are bleary-eyed where just a glance can make all the difference. As mentioned by Emily who is our MFM home tester the Sleepiest BassiNest an excellent choice. It's easy to lower.
Budget
If you're not ready to make the leap to a larger cot, an infant crib on your bed could be the perfect solution. This bassinet-style crib attaches to your bed, so you can reach your baby easily for night feeds or comfort your child without causing disturbance. It's also a great option for those who suffer from limited movement after the birth and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of this well-loved crib from Chicco, which won the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket. It's large and breathable, and comes with six height settings to accommodate growing babies, plus a gentle reflux incline setting. It can also be used as a travel cot, and it comes with an easy-to-store storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home However, our Parent Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to maneuver. It's among the lightest options and small enough to fit into its own bag for travel, which means you can carry it along with you on your trip.
The SnuzPod bedside cot is yet another highly rated item that's easy to fold and assemble and comes with a variety of features to ensure an unwinding night's sleep. It has a removable lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than other cots. The fabric is breathable, and helps regulate your baby's temperature. It has a gentle rocking feature, as well as an incline to aid in reflux. It's also light enough to use as a travel crib when you are on the move. bedside cot co sleeper 's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots, but our Parents Testers say it's well worth the extra cash.